New Invention

Drone Defense

Bob Englehart

I like drones. Well, let’s put it this way. I see the practical uses of drones. Of course, the technology being new, some people have run afoul of proper drone use already. The other day a drone almost collided with a NYPD helicopter. Not cool. A couple weeks ago, a woman beat up a teenager at Hammonasset State Park because she was offended that he was flying his drone over the beach. The woman was arrested and given accelerated rehabilitation and two young male drone pilots (operators?) in New York were charged with felony reckless endangerment. Already citizens are being arrested for drone abuse.

The small drones citizens are flying are not particularly interesting to draw. They’re not sleek and streamlined like an airplane, or their military cousins. They’re fairly utilitarian in appearance with a camera attached underneath and four rotors to make it easier to maintain stability. I’m sure they’ll get better looking. They’re already getting smaller, some the size of a grasshopper. Maybe my cartoon is prescient. It wouldn’t be the first time a cartoon told the future. Wrist radio anyone?